Chevrolet COBALT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7,681 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 6,328 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3,691 of 7,681 complaints (48.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4,056 | 52.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 990 | 12.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 671 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 612 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 478 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 273 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 3691 |
| Electrical System | 1285 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1107 |
| Air Bags | 573 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 351 |
| Engine | 331 |
| Power Train | 232 |
| Unknown Or Other | 162 |
Steering: 3,691; Electrical System: 1,285; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1,107; Air Bags: 573; Fuel System, Gasoline: 351; Engine: 331; Power Train: 232; Unknown Or Other: 162
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 683 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1322 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1636 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1094 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1141 |
| 150,000 and above | 452 |
Under 25,000: 683; 25,000 to 49,999: 1,322; 50,000 to 74,999: 1,636; 75,000 to 99,999: 1,094; 100,000 to 149,999: 1,141; 150,000 and above: 452
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1,636). 1,353 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 47 |
| 2006 | 88 |
| 2007 | 103 |
| 2008 | 208 |
| 2009 | 964 |
| 2010 | 1560 |
| 2011 | 444 |
| 2012 | 517 |
| 2013 | 404 |
| 2014 | 1150 |
| 2015 | 491 |
| 2016 | 369 |
| 2017 | 280 |
| 2018 | 272 |
| 2019 | 207 |
| 2020 | 234 |
| 2021 | 152 |
| 2022 | 78 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2005: 47; 2006: 88; 2007: 103; 2008: 208; 2009: 964; 2010: 1,560; 2011: 444; 2012: 517; 2013: 404; 2014: 1,150; 2015: 491; 2016: 369; 2017: 280; 2018: 272; 2019: 207; 2020: 234; 2021: 152; 2022: 78; 2023: 55; 2024: 27; 2025: 22; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4,056 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 990 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 671 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10246522 · 2008-10-23 (October 23, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER AND WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,624.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,624 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291868 · 2009-11-11 (November 11, 2009)
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT 1. COMPUTER DISPLAYS "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. 2. NO STEERING. HAPPENS WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES AFTER EACH IGNITION. VERY DANGEROUS WITH DIFFICULT STEERING. 3. NOT REPAIRED YET. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114677 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING HOME A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, WE RAN OVER A SMALL ROCK THAT HAD FALLEN FROM A TRUCK IN FRONT OF US ( ABOUT 8" IN DIAMETER). WE HEARD A BANGING AND TEARING NOISE, THEN THE ENGINE WENT DEAD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART, WE EXITED THE COBALT TO FIND FUEL GUSHING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WE HAD OUR 3 CHILDREN MAKE A RUN FOR IT, GRABBED OUR POSSESSIONS, FOLLOWED THE KIDS, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. FORTUNATELY WE, (AND OTHER MOTORISTS) WERE NOT INJURED. IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING, WE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133212 · 2005-08-17 (August 17, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE WAS ON VACATION WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK HER GAS TANK. SHE WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROTECTIVENESS OF GAS TANK. THERE WAS A PIECE OF ALUMINUM THAT PROTECTED THE GAS TANK AND WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE ALUMINUM WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY PEALED BACK. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 8, 2005 IN BAKER COUNTY FLORIDA ON 110 WEST. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282054 · 2009-08-28 (August 28, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICIAN BULLETIN THAT SPECIFIES THAT THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE MODIFIED. ADDITIONALLY HE ADDED THAT BECAUSE THERE NOT AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116277 · 2005-04-02 (April 2, 2005)
WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN MID DECEMBER. IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY WE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSION VALVE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND READ "POWER LESS REDUCED" THEN ,WE BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STIFF. THE DEALEARSHIP REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSION VALVE ONCE AGAIN. AGAIN THE PROBLEM SURFACED ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED ONC…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106004 · 2005-01-08 (January 8, 2005)
I PURCHASED THE CAR LITERALLY OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. ONE DAY AND 38 MILES LATER IT STALLED OUT ON MY WIFE ON THE WAY TO CHURCH. TWO WEEKS LATER I GOT IT BACK. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER HAD TO FINALLY TAKE ONE FROM ANOTHER CAR TO HELP SOLVE MY PROBLEM. TWO DAYS LATER I NOW HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR "THIRD EYE" BRAKE LIGHT. IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I AM RETURNING THE VEHICLE ON MONDAY AND WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT THIS PROBLEM IS. I KNOW THE COBLAT IS NEW BUT I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121741 · 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WITH MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR AND THEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T ACELARATE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN THE CAR JUST STALLED. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I THEN TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT DID START. MY VEHICLE HAS 600 MILES.TODAY I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION CENTRAL OFFICE STATING THAT THEY ARE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT AFFECTS CERTAIN 2005 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET COBALT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2…
Owner-reported narrative. 573 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113851 · 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY OLESHA'S BOY FRIEND BILLY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10113851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132443 · 2005-08-11 (August 11, 2005)
DT: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE HEARD NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED A PART ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME NOISE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFERENT NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136649 · 2005-09-15 (September 15, 2005)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 CHEVY COBALT SS/SC. I HAVE 5000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE SHIFT LINKAGE HAS FAILED. THE PROBLEM LIES IN FACT THAT CHEVY/GM DOES NOT OFFER A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 DAYS AND STILL NO IDEA OF WHEN A PART WILL BE LOCATED AND IF THE PART CAN BE LOCATED. I WAS ABLE TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT SAAB USES THE EXACT TRANSMISSION SETUP. SAAB DOES OFFER THIS PART BUT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PUT OR ATTEMPT TO TRY THE SAAB PART SINCE IT DOES HAVE THE CHEVY PART NUMBER ON IT. AT THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136649 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
2002: 0; 2005: 5; 2006: 5; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 5; 2011: 0; 2012: 0; 2016: 0; 2017: 0